Responding to COVID-19 with Science
As the first COVID-19 outbreak in the United States took hold in King County, Dow responded quickly, following the science and implementing key public health strategies to save lives. Today, he continues to lead pandemic response efforts, support small businesses and families in need, and restore our economy.
- Seattle’s Leaders Let Scientists Take the Lead. New York’s Did Not
- Executive Constantine announces supplemental budget to continue COVID-19 response, help small businesses, arts and tourism; fund homeless youth programs
- ‘We will get through this’: Officials discuss coronavirus at Wednesday press conference
Increasing Access to Fast, Frequent, Affordable Transit
Ranked the best transit system in the nation, ridership across King County Metro and Sound Transit climbed to its highest levels ever under Dow’s leadership. The Seattle area leads the nation in ridership growth compared to the largest US metro areas.
- King County Metro named the best large transit system in North America
- Sound Transit substantially completes construction on all three Northgate Link stations
- Metro, SDOT expand late-night bus service for workers, travelers and nightlife denizens
- The Cost Of Riding Transit Is A Public Health Issue, King County Says
- Nearly 5 million Metro Transit trips in 2016 were taken with ORCA LIFT cards, the latest milestone for the nation’s leading reduced-fare program
Developing and Coordinating an Urgent, Regional Response to Homelessness
Dow led efforts to create an urgently needed Regional Homelessness Authority, bringing together the county, cities, and other stakeholders to determine and enact a plan to reduce homelessness in King County. Efforts to end homelessness include a bold proposal to generate hundreds of millions of dollars for new housing and critically needed homeless services, as well as continuing to fund essential programs for those in need through the Veterans, Seniors, & Human Services Levy.
- Seattle and King County create new unified regional homelessness authority: evidence-based, accountable, and equitable
- Executive Constantine unveils 2021-2022 budget, calls for major investment in housing, advancing an anti-racist agenda
- King County, Seattle and other cities unite on regional plan to confront homelessness
- Executive takes action to confront homelessness, expand access to affordable housing
- King County exec wants to triple levy for veterans, seniors, homeless
Envisioning and Implementing “Best Starts for Kids”
Dow relied on expert stakeholders to develop – and implement – the most comprehensive approach to childhood development in the nation, investing in prevention and early intervention so that children reach kindergarten healthy and ready to learn, and youth reach adulthood prepared to succeed. This multigenerational strategy supports good outcomes for children, parents, grandparents, and communities. Now, Dow is working to expand this landmark initiative by bolstering services for new parents, child care support, after-school programs, homelessness prevention efforts, and more through levy renewal in 2021.
- Executive Constantine announces Best Starts for Kids levy renewal
- Constantine seeks renewal of Best Starts for Kids levy, $811 million proposal would expand child care in King County
- King County ready to implement Executive Constantine’s groundbreaking Best Starts for Kids initiative
- King County implements first Best Starts for Kids strategy
- Executive Constantine launches new initiatives that will create safer, healthier schools and neighborhoods throughout King County
- King County’s first Best Starts for Kids strategy will prevent youth and families from becoming homeless
Creating One of the Nation’s Boldest Climate Action Plans
Under Dow’s leadership, King County created one of the most ambitious climate action plans in the United States. It provides a roadmap for the entire region to reduce carbon pollution, electrify buses and increase transit access, protect parks and open spaces, improve recycling options and prepare for climate change impacts.
- King County adopts one of the boldest climate action plans in the nation
- New King County climate plan calls for 50% cut in emissions by 2030, 80% by 2050
- King County Executive announces purchases of battery buses, challenges industry to build next-generation transit
- Executive launches partnership to plant one million trees across King County
- King County-Cities Climate Collaboration wins national 2016 Climate Leadership Award
- King County Metro Transit launches first all-electric battery-powered bus
Confronting Racism, Reforming Criminal Justice and Fighting for Equity and Opportunity
Dow has made it a priority to challenge systemic racism embedded in our government, criminal justice system, and society, working to make King County a more anti-racist government and region. This work includes spearheading criminal legal system reform efforts with programs for youth diversion, restorative justice, and permanent reduction in jail population.
Dow is ensuring King County takes action now to narrow the racial wealth, employment, and wage gaps by removing barriers to employment and promoting economic opportunity efforts, including expanding priority hire requirements, creating targeted workforce development plans, providing dedicated support for Women and Minority Owned Businesses, and requiring use of equity and social justice principles in economic development initiatives.
- Op-Ed: ML King Day 2021: “Our True North”
- Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis
- Executive Constantine highlights anti-racism and criminal legal system transformation in upcoming budget
- King County Executive Highlights Criminal Justice Reform in Budget Preview
- King County Executive Dow Constantine commits to depopulate youth jail by 2025
- King County executive seeks to redefine criminal justice after announcing plans to close jail
- How King County Built a Strategic Plan for Equity and Social Justice
Leading the Nation in Support for Working Families
King County is a leader in offering up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Not only does this allow families to connect with their newborns and newly adopted children, it helps the County to recruit and retain talented workers.
- Up to 12 weeks paid parenting leave for King County employees
- King County OKs Paid Parental Leave for Some Employees
- King County at forefront of national movement to expand paid parental leave
Investing in Critical Infrastructure
More than half the state’s economy is in King County, and the three-county metropolitan region generates well over $300 billion in annual economic activity. Mobility – or the lack of it – is one of the greatest threats to that economic success. That is why Executive Constantine worked for years to expand transit and transportation options that serve all people and communities in King County – including Sound Transit expansion, Metro Bus service, the West Seattle water taxi – as well as pedestrian safety and roadway improvements in our growing region.